Postnatal care in hospital
Most mothers will be able to go home shortly after birth but longer stays may be required in some situations. Your maternity team will make sure you and your baby are ready to go home before discharge.
What to expect
If you give birth to your baby in an obstetric unit or birth centre, then you will usually be fit to go home within a few hours of birth. There may be checks recommended for your baby which means staying longer, and sometimes an overnight stay can be needed to make sure baby is feeding well.
You may be advised to stay in hospital more than one night if you had a complicated labour experience and you and your baby need more care. The maternity team will work with you to make sure you and your baby are well enough to go home as soon as possible.
Your postnatal care
You can read more about the postnatal care provided by the Kent and Medway maternity units on the trust's websites:
Postnatal Ward - Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust
Postnatal Care - Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust
Your delivery - East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust